John Thele

LEOPOLD, Mo. — John Henry Thele, 80, of Leopold died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at his home.

He was born Jan. 23, 1942, in Leopold to Henry Thele and Matilda Koenig Thele. He and Myrtle Thele were married, and she survives of the home.

He was a carpenter, and that was his greatest joy. He first worked as a burger flipper at Steak 'n Shake. He then went to work at the pallet factory in Marble Hill, Missouri, before going to work for Herman Arnzen Construction. He then opened a construction business with his brother, Kenny, before going out on his own.

He was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Leopold.

Survivors include four sons, John W. Thele, Jeff (Michele) Thele, Tim (April) Thele and Jimmy (Crystal) Thele; three daughters, Cindy Thele, Tracy (Jon) Bragg and Ashley (Jason) Thompson; three stepdaughters, Daphne (Billy) Allen, Sheree Daniels and Kam Bounds; stepson, Randy Ratcliff; 28 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob Thele and Kenny Thele; and two sisters, Judy Stause and Evelyn (Boss) Connor.

He was preceded in death by one stepson, Michael Stevens; mother, Matilda Thele; father, Henry Thele; four brothers, Bill "Slim" Thele, Rich Thele, Jake Thele and Harry Thele; four sisters, Marcella Jentsch, Juletta Thele, Gerlene Trentham and Imogene Carter; and two previous wives, Nettie Surface and Shirley Bollinger.

Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, with the Rev. Antony Thekkanath officiating. Burial will be at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Leopold.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.